News: Lucas Savoy, BRI’s Deputy Director and Loon Program Director, was recently featured on WHMP’s Talk the Talk podcast, discussing BRI’s Loon Translocation project. Listen to the segment, which begins at the 1 hour mark, here.
Waterbirds: Important Indicators of Ecosystem Health
BRI’s extensive experience with loons has led us to build our waterbird programs into the Center for Waterbird Studies; research focuses on loons, waterfowl, and marine birds (including coastal birds). These birds rely on aquatic habitats for part or all of their annual life cycle, including marine, coastal, and freshwater ecosystems. Given their use of these critical habitats, waterbirds can be important indicators of ecosystem health and viability.
With an innovative approach to wildlife research, our biologists continually develop new methods to improve fieldwork and data analysis. Over the course of more than three decades, our biologists perfected nighttime loon capture techniques. These methods, however, proved inadequate in the Arctic. In response, field crews developed site-specific methodology that allowed the capture of loons during the long daylight hours in that region. Pushing the boundaries of loon research further, BRI biologists pioneered the development of methods and protocols for successful loon translocation. This extensive knowledge and experience with loons guides all of our waterbird studies.
Loon Program
BRI’s long history of loon research and conservation projects have contributed to understanding basic ecology and strive to unravel the impacts of ecological stressors and how they can be lessened. The Loon Program is dedicated to assessing current and emerging threats to loons, and to collaborating with the many agencies and organizations that work to conserve loon populations across the Northern Hemisphere.
Waterfowl Program
Waterfowl, such as ducks, geese, and swans, are especially affected by global stressors as these birds rely on many different habitats throughout their annual migratory routes. BRI’s Waterfowl Program primarily focuses its research on conservation needs for waterfowl throughout North America. We collaborate with state and federal agencies, as well as other organizations involved in waterfowl conservation.
Marine Bird Program
Marine birds are found across the globe, from the poles to the tropics, where they live at the interface between air, land, and sea (or ice). The harsh conditions found in these environments have caused unique adaptations in their physiology and morphology and require enormous flexibility in life history strategies. Some of the evolutionary traits that make marine birds well suited to their environment, however, also make them vulnerable to extinction–many marine bird species are considered threatened or endangered at both global and continental scales.
Contaminant Studies
BRI’s research facilities include both a toxicology Lab and a pathology lab. The toxicology lab provides analysis of tissue samples for: total mercury using the MA-3000 mercury analyzer; and lead using our LeadCare ® II analyzer. The pathology lab includes our necropsy facility for post-mortem examination of wildlife, and enables in-house processing of samples for routine health evaluation such as hematology and parasite examination.
Movement and Tracking Studies
Tracking waterbirds offers insight into their movements and habitat use. We can learn valuable information about the challenges these birds face on breeding and wintering grounds and along migration routes. These data are invaluable to decision makers who work to protect wildlife from threats including contaminants and habitat loss. Using a variety of technologies, BRI tracks waterbirds, from capture and the application of transmitters through collection and analysis of data.
Inventory and Population Studies
BRI biologists are highly skilled in the use of a broad range of surveillance methods—from traditional population counts to innovative high-tech remote sensing techniques—to survey and monitor wildlife in a variety of ecosystems. With decades of experience, we also know that the implementation of successful surveys and monitoring projects depend on clear research objectives that are based on a thorough understanding of the issues and exactly how data will be used to inform decision making and ecosystem management.
Wildlife Health Studies
The health and resiliency of wildlife are influenced by many factors such as genetics, physiological capacity, disease status, exposure to environmental threats and pollution, interactions with human populations, and climate change. Waterfowl can be susceptible to various diseases and viruses, such as the West Nile virus, avian influenza, and avian cholera. Federal agencies established wildlife disease monitoring programs to detect geographic locations, species, and even individuals that are of concern for transporting infectious diseases.
Climate Effect Studies
BRI’s focus on wildlife serves as a window to the world of climate change: we view a changing climate by observing and understanding changes in wildlife. For BRI to view climate change through the lens of wildlife, long-term studies are of great importance because the longer the temporal scope of a study, the better we can discern changes over time. Unfortunately, long-term studies on wildlife are rare. BRI works to better understand ecosystems’ sensitivity to climate change by investigating how environmental stressors impact ecosystems over time, and BRI has spearheaded multiple efforts.
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BRI’s scientists work across the globe to conduct innovative wildlife studies that help us understand the intricacies of these ecosystems. Through our publications, we share what we learn with those who manage and protect our natural resources.
Photo Credits: Header photo © ????????; Loon © Daniel Poleschook; Harlequin Duck © Ryan Askren; Arctic Terns © Ken Archer; Sampling a loon © Connor Stefanison; Tagged Northern Gannet © BRI – Jonathon Fiely; Aerial survey © BRI-Staff; Mating season: Common Loons and Black Skimmers © Daniel Poleschook; Northern Gannets © Joyce Amsden; Harlequin Duck © Ryan Askren.
